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Crackers: satisfying, guilt-free treats

June 25, 2008|By Peter Reinhart , Los Angeles Times

Use a straight rolling pin (not a tapered pin) to work the dough to a thin oval or rectangle less than 1/8 inch thick. Every few seconds, lift the dough and dust under it with more flour and dust the top as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to the counter or the pin. If the dough resists and shrinks back, let it rest for a few minutes and move on to one of the remaining dough balls. Repeat the rolling process with each piece of dough.

Combine the egg with 1/2 cup water to make an egg wash. Brush the top of the dough with egg wash and lightly sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Cut the dough into desired size for crackers with a pizza cutter or knife or pastry blade (you also can use a small biscuit cutter).

Transfer the crackers to the pans, placing them very close together (they will not rise or spread). Place the pans in the oven (you can bake them all at once or 1 at a time). Rotate the pans after 8 minutes (if baking multiple pans, switch shelves). After another 8 minutes, rotate again.

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Bake an additional 6 to 8 minutes until toasted and light golden brown, 22 to 24 minutes total. If not brown, increase the temperature by 25 degrees and continue baking until the crackers are golden brown and stiff, not flexible. Remove from the oven and leave on the pan until cool and crisp.

Note: For sweeter crackers, eliminate the egg wash and sea salt, and instead lightly brush the crackers with equal parts honey (or agave syrup) and water. Continue to bake as described. The crackers can also be baked plain.

Adapted from "Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques, Extraordinary Flavor" by Peter Reinhart

Per serving: 32 calories, 1 gram protein, 4 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams fiber, 2 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 5 milligrams cholesterol, 39 milligrams sodium

Analysis by the Los Angeles Times.

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